Trump is right: The economy is strong. But he’s missing the big problem

 https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/25/economy/economy-trump-sotu-affordability-biden

America’s economy is strong. But Trump is missing the point.

Affordability, not economic strength, drives voters to the polls. Most Americans don’t care a lick about GDP, CPI, PCE or any of the other acronyms or data points that show the economy is on the right track. They care about their job security and those financial fears that keep folks up at night: figuring out how to to pay for groceries, housing, health care, car payments, college and child care – all of which keep getting more expensive.

But Trump’s message largely focused on American exceptionalism, his economic achievements, low inflation and robust foreign investment. He blamed his predecessor for ruining the economy and praised his administration’s work to rescue it.

It hasn’t helped that Trump has called affordability a “hoax” and a battle he has won. In the meantime, Trump’s rah-rah message on the economy and trade is falling on deaf ears and risks making him look out of touch ahead of a crucial election.